St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-01

The second of the great industrial eX-
positions destined to accomplish so much
for Minneapolis and the Northwest has
brilliantly inaugurated its course. For
six weeks the visiting world will be
treated to a display of art and manufac-
lures which. it is credit to say, has
been exceeded only twice in the history
of the United StateS-at Philadelphia
and at New OrleanS-and then only
when the powerful arm of the govern
ment had been invoked. The enter
prise of no individual community ever
prepared an exposition that could be
compared to that which was so auspi-
ciouSly opened yesterday. That it will
have brilliant and successful career
there is no room TO doubt.
The city was prepared for an event.
1t has come to be generally recognized
that the opening of the exposition is the
event of the Minneapolis year and
a day which the city can call
peculiarly her own. Without making
any great stir or disturbing the great
stream of commerce or rumble of manu-
facture, the day was quite generally
celebrated as the greatest of the forty
WHICH OIG 10 1OIlOM IL. 1IlC MSdlltI
was not at its best. Threatening clouds
hung low in the sky. and the air was
close and humid. in marked contrast
with the OZ0nic atmosphere that is one
of our bOaSted characteristics, and the
bunting and banners hung limp and
lifeleSS in the dead calm. 1t was a
SpiritleSS day. though it recorded spir-
tied deeds. The crowds of people Oh
the streets had 10 especial aim i'll their
wanderingS. and seemed to prefer loll-
ing about the corners gazing at the
arches and decorations to facing the
crush at the Exposition, even with its
strains of music and its bursts of elO-
quence. There was no procession.
pageant to inform the multitude
the show was ready for
their inspection or to direct
their attention to the location
of the days attraction. The crowd went
of its own Yolition and there was enough
of it to occupy all of the vantage ground
in the big building and still fill the prin-
cipal streets and avenues, not only in
that vicinity, but in all the central part
of the city. There were strangers
enough for that, and it was gratifying
to remark that this early in the season
of the Exposition, the hotels and chop
ness with outsiders alone.
One glance over Minneapolis would
have satisfied the least observant that
some event was in progress. Not only
the long lines and arches of globes,
the variegated pyramids of cOlOrs, the
graceful canOpieS at street intersections
and the profuse display of flags, stream
ers and bunting of all kinds proclaimed
an event; the people in the street told
it. There was a restless moving
of crowds and an eXpectan
air that is in every way
unusual. The presence of strangers
was percephble at every point. Stores
were Spruced up and business seemed
booming. Innumerable street fakes of
harmless character had occupied eligi-
bic corners. Strains of music tlOated in
from long distances. Everything wore
gala day aspect. The Exposition was
opened.
The exercises were carried out as the
programme had announced and were
entirely successful. Not long enough
to be weariSOme, and of sufficient inter
est to fix the attention of the auditors,
these exercises were even an impOve-
ment over last year. 1t seemed as though
every speaker had said just enough, land
when the benediction was pronounced
the crowd had preserved enough energy
to thoroughly inspect the vast collection
and retire without the complete exhaust
ion almost invariably incident to gala
occasions. The management is to he
congratulated. 1t has profited by ex.
perience and the Exposition shows in
every feature the benefits of last year. s
lessons. Without hesitation it may be
pronounced better exhibit, better ar
ranged. more skillfully selected and dis
posed and UNNECESSARILY further adj
Yanced than at the opening year ago.
The doors are open and you are i'll
Vited.